Cadbury Chocolate

In 1824 John Cadbury set up his confectionery business in Birmingham. He also created the Bournville estate where his workers at the time had improved living conditions. Cadbury World remains a popular tourist attraction and Creme Eggs still seem to be a favourite for chocolate-loving fans.

A Cadbury's superfan has a Creme Egg tattoo

Mini

The Longbridge factory in Birmingham has been considered the home of the Mini since 1959. The factory has produced classic models such as the Mark II and the Clubman as well as a range of special edition ranges. In 2009 around 4,000 of the cars from around the world congregated at the factory to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

Someone got a tattoo of a Mini to remember their favourite car

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HP Sauce

One of the nation's favourite condiments was originally produced in a factory in Aston. In 2007 Heinz shut the factory and moved production to the Netherlands. One of the logos from the top of the factory tower was taken to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

HP Sauce is many people's favourite condiment

 

Ozzy Osbourne

Originally the lead singer for heavy metal band Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne was born in Aston, Birmingham. Osbourne had a solo career after leaving the band as well as a reality show on MTV called "The Osbournes" where he featured alongside his wife Sharon and his children.

DJ Ben Nicky has "The Prince of Darkness" tattooed on his leg

R2D2

The Star Wars robot has always been a firm favourite with fans and has appeared in nine out of the past ten films. What you might not know is that the actor who played him, Kenny Baker, was born in Birmingham in 1934. He had the role for all three original films in the franchise.

A tattoo of R2D2 is a favourite with Star Wars fans

Microwaves and Skateboard

Both the microwave and the wheels used on skateboards were invented in Birmingham. The microwave power oscillators were created during WW2 at the University of Birmingham and were later patented by an American inventor. Brown and Hughes invented the ball-bearing wheels in 1877 that would go on to be used for skateboards nearly 70 years later.

A tattoo of a microwave riding a skateboard

Simon Cowell

Believe it or not music-mogul Simon Cowell considers himself to be from Birmingham. When he came to film Britain's Got Talent in the city in 2016 he said: “I want to see what Birmingham has to offer because I’m from here.” His family are also from the area.

Blane Dickenson got Simon Cowell tattooed on his bum

UB40

The Birmingham band were formed in 1978. They have had more than 50 singles in the UK charts as well as selling over 70 million records worldwide. One super fan got two tattoos: one of the lyrics to The Way You Do the Things You Do as well as previous lead singer Ali Campbell's face.

A UB40 fan got the lyrics to The Way You Do the Things You Do tattooed on her leg
The fan got UB40's ex-lead singer Ali Campbell's face tattooed on the same leg

JRR Tolkien

JRR Tolkien is best known for his Lord Of The Rings creation. He lived in Birmingham as a young man and his time spent in Edgbaston, where he lived next to the Victorian tower of the waterworks, is said to have inspired some of the imagery in his books.

JRR Tolkien inspired this Lord of the Rings fan to get a full back tattoo

Birmingham City

It is not just club emblems that football fans get tattooed. Garry Monk's face was tattooed on a fan's backside shortly after he became the manager of Birmingham City in 2018. Monk previously managed Middlesbrough, Leeds and Swansea after his own playing career came to an end after nearly two decades.

A Birmingham City fan has Garry Monk's face tattooed on his bum